Lessons to be learnt from 'Top Gun'

While on twitter the question was raised as to what lessons were to be learnt from 'Top Gun '(1986)

1. Being a Maverick.
Someone who is a non-conformist is always going to 'ruffle feathers'. But there are times when you have to do things a little different to get the goals you wish to achieve. You will always have to make concessions but if you can prove the reason for being a little different you can win other's over. Be yourself, but be prepared to recognise other's and you will be more accepted and your opinion's appreciated.
Quote : Iceman: You can be my wingman any time.
Maverick: Bullshit! You can be mine. 



  

 2. .Responsibility.
We are are all responsible for our actions. They will effect others and we really need to be aware of the potential consequences of them.

Quote:  Viper: How ya doin'? 
Maverick: I'm all right. 
Viper: Goose is dead. 
Maverick: I know. 
Viper: You fly jets long enough, something like this happens. 
Maverick: He was my R.I.O., my responsibility. 

 3. Team Work

By working with fellow team members we can lower the risk and they may see something we don't. Someone may be able to help you when you need them most. 

Viper: I flew with your old man. VF-51, the Oriskany. You’re a lot like he was. Only better… and worse. He was a natural heroic son of a bitch that one.
Maverick: So he DID do it right.
Viper: Yeah, he did it right… Is that why you fly the way you do? Trying to prove something? Yeah your old man did it right. What I’m about to tell you is classified. It could end my career. We were in the worst dogfight I ever dreamed of. There were bogeys like fireflies all over the sky. His F-4 was hit, and he was wounded, but he could’ve made it back. He stayed in it, saved three planes before he bought it.
Maverick: How come I never heard that before?
Viper: Well that’s not something the State Department tells dependents when the battle occurred over the wrong line on some map.

4. Distractions 
There will always be distractions to the goals you wish to achieve in your business life. It is important to keep the two separate. If 'Maverick' was to keep thinking about 'Charlie' when flying the planes he would definitely 'crashed and burned' 
By the way, distractions change with time. A bit like 'Charlie' did!

5. Thing's evolve with time
Bit of a loose connection but....


We have to be aware of how time changes things. The obstacles in our business life now will be different in five years time. We have to keep this in mind and be aware of what may change in the future.


When Top Gun was made in 1986 it was all about the Russians being the potential enemy of the United States. What country would they flying against now if the film was being made? Would they even use pilots ?  


Hope this gave you a made you think and gave you a laugh.